Inslee Outlines Potential Enforcement For Stay-At-Home Orders

OLYMPIA, WA — It has been one month since public health officials announced the first confirmed death linked to the new coronavirus in Washington. In the weeks since, almost 200 people have died from complications linked to COVID-19 in our state, and confirmed illnesses have climbed to nearly 5,000.

State and local leaders have implemented an evolving list of mitigation strategies to slow the virus's spread, culminating in Gov. Jay Inslee's "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order one week ago, prohibiting all non-essential businesses from operating and asking all residents to limit non-essential public activities.

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During a press conference Monday afternoon, Inslee said he was heartened by widespread, voluntary compliance with social distancing orders, but acknowledged his office had received numerous reports in the last week, indicating some people and businesses were not following the rules.

"These people who are calling us are very concerned about their health and the health of others," Inslee said.

Joined by Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste, Inslee outlined a three-tier approach for enforcing his orders, with education and voluntary compliance remaining law enforcement's top priority.

"Our focus remains on educating the public while these orders remain in effect," Inslee said. "We don't know how long that's going to be."

Residents can file complaints via an online submission form on the state's website, choosing from a list of categories, including a non-essential business continuing to operate, restaurants still serving dine-in meals, large gatherings of people or unlawful evictions.

The governor and law enforcement leaders urged the public to avoid calling 911 to report suspected violations and keep the lines clear for immediate emergencies.

Inslee said the first step state or local authorities will take upon receiving a complaint is reminding the people or businesses in question that they are in violation of the law and need to comply with the order. A second step, Inslee said, could involve actions like issuing citations, and suspending or revoking business licenses. As a last resort, Inslee said some complaints could be referred to the Attorney General's office for potential criminal or civil action.

"Taking people to court is the very last thing that will be considered," Inslee said.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson echoed the governor's goal of achieving 100 percent compliance voluntarily and said his office was ready to act more forcefully if circumstances require it.

"The reason is simple, lives literally depend on it," Ferguson said. "A non-essential business that refuses to close, even after a warning letter, is endangering public health."

Ferguson said his office had already received complaints regarding some landlords who appeared to be using "creative methods" to execute evictions, despite the governor's moratorium. Anyone who believes they are facing an unlawful eviction is encouraged to contact Ferguson's office.

"The intent of the governor's proclamation is going to be enforced," Ferguson said. "We can assure them if they write to our office, we will be following up on all those complaints."

The governor's emergency stay-at-home order is set to expire next week, and Inslee said a firm decision on whether to extend that order has not been made.

"If that decision is made, we will look at the data, we will listen to the epidemiologists, we will listen to the world's experts, and do what is necessary," Inslee said.

Based on currently available data, the governor said it appeared likely further measures would be needed. Despite some early signs of success in reducing transmission in hotspots like King County, Inslee said new problem areas have come to light, including Skagit, Adams, Island and Benton counties.

"These numbers are two to three times higher than what we've seen the week before," Inslee said.

Washington's health care force continues to navigate a shortage of protective equipment and work to build surge capacity at area hospitals is ongoing. The U.S. Army intends to have a field hospital at the CenturyLink Field Events Center ready for operation in the next several days.